rced to believe it was
accidental," he thought. "But in that case they would have come to my
assistance, instead of taking the sloop and hurrying off with her."

It was so comfortable a spot at the brook that Ralph rested there longer
than he had originally intended. But at last he arose and moved on,
thankful that he had accomplished at least one-third of the distance home.

The road now left the vicinity of the lake and led up into the woods and
across several deep ravines. It also crossed the railroad track, for there
was a spur of the main line which came down to Glen Arbor--this spur being
the only railroad in the vicinity.

Ralph had just crossed the tracks, when happening to glance toward an old
shed in the vicinity, he saw something which filled him with astonishment.
Emerging from the place were two men, and they were Martin and Toglet!

At first the boy could scarcely credit his senses. But a second look
convinced him that he was not mistaken. They were his two assailants, true
enough.

Ralph stood still, not knowing whether to advance or retreat. Before he
could decide the point, Martin and Toglet, who had spent the night in the
shanty after leaving Squire Paget, discovered him.

Toglet gave a cry of terror, thinking he was looking upon a ghost. Martin
also uttered a yell, but it was more of astonishment than aught else.

"Look! look!" shrieked Toglet.

And he pointed with his long finger.

"It's the boy, as I'm a sinner!" burst out Martin.

"It's his ghost! Oh, why did I----"

"Shut up! It's the boy, I tell you! He must have escaped in some miraculous
manner. See, his forehead is bound up," went on Martin.

"But how could he escape?" asked Toglet, faintly.

"That is more than I can answer. But there he is, and all our work was for
nothing," growled Martin.

"Never mind; we've got the two hundred," began his younger companion.

"But we haven't the five hundred additional," grumbled Martin. "Let us go
after him."

Martin strode forward, and shaking in every limb, Toglet followed.

Each of the rascals carried his gun, and as they advanced upon him, Ralph
thought it best to retreat. There was no telling what they would do. For
all he knew, they might try to finish their dastardly work.

"Hi! hi! stop!" called out Martin, as he began to run.

"What do you want?" called back Ralph.

"I want to talk to you. What are you afraid of?"

"You know perfectly well," returned Ralph.

"Ain't you go